Nursing Education Degree Programs in Seattle, WA (2026)
Quick answer: The Seattle metro employs about 740 nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state board of nursing and the programs you are targeting.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. There is no separate license for nurse educators. The prerequisite is an active registered nurse license from a state board of nursing, and the qualification for the teaching role is set by the hiring program and its accreditor, CCNE or ACEN, rather than nationally. Faculty-qualification expectations differ substantially between community-college instruction and university appointments.
See the Washington licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state board of nursing and the programs you are targeting.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary Earn in Seattle
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary in the Seattle area earn a median $93,540 per year, above the national median of $80,250 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Nursing Education Pay in Seattle, WA
| Metric | Seattle metro | Washington | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $93,540 | $81,630 | $80,250 |
| 10th percentile | $60,840 | $58,320 | $48,800 |
| 25th percentile | $70,440 | $69,340 | $63,510 |
| 75th percentile | $129,630 | $104,300 | $101,090 |
| 90th percentile | $161,440 | $133,840 | $129,500 |
| Employment | 740 | 1,300 | 77,960 |
| Location quotient | 0.7 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Seattle median of $93,540 is above the national median of $80,250, and above the Washington statewide median of $81,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.7 means nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Nurse educator demand follows the number and size of nursing programs in a region, which is why it does not track general healthcare employment closely.
Other Washington Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane | $73,070 | 170 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary make in Seattle?
The median annual wage for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $93,540, above the national median of $80,250 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary work in the Seattle area?
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area employs about 740 nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary in Seattle need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. There is no separate license for nurse educators. The prerequisite is an active registered nurse license from a state board of nursing, and the qualification for the teaching role is set by the hiring program and its accreditor, CCNE or ACEN, rather than nationally. Faculty-qualification expectations differ substantially between community-college instruction and university appointments. Confirm current requirements with your state board of nursing and the programs you are targeting.
Can I study nursing education online from Seattle?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state board of nursing and the programs you are targeting.
Is Seattle a better market than the rest of Washington?
The Seattle metro median is $93,540 against a statewide median of $81,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Nursing Education degree programs in Washington - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Nursing Education programs and how to choose one
- Registered Nurse (RN) career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1072), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.